Sustainability overview

A new stock assessment was carried out in 2017 indicating the stock was not overfished nor being subject to overfishing. Catches since 2012 have continuously declined, with the 2017 catch of 48,836t being the lowest since 1990 and well below the maximum sustainable yield. An explanation for this decline is not available at present. The 2012-2016 average was 70,724t and MSY is 132,072t. Juvenile albacore aged 2 to 4 years comprised, on average, 70% of the annual catch between 1993 and 2015, owing to the larger impact of the surface fisheries (primarily troll, pole-and-line) which remove juvenile fish, as opposed to longline fisheries, which primarily remove adult fish. In 2005 IATTC and WCPFC adopted matching management measures for North Pacific Albacore to freeze fishing effort to current levels and instigate regular catch reporting, and the current exploitation level (2010-2012) is estimated to be below that of 2002-2004. In 2017 an Interim Harvest Strategy was adopted by WCPFC, replacing the 2014 management framework and supporting the measures to limit fishing effort. 21% of the albacore in the North Pacific is caught in surface troll fisheries. Trolling generally targets smaller albacore which tend to stay closer to the surface. It is a labour intensive yet very selective method of fishing with virtually no impact on non-target species.

There are a number of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified troll fisheries in the North Pacific which represent the best choice.

Biology

Tuna belong to the family Scombridae. They are large, oceanic fish and are seasonally migratory, some making trans-oceanic journeys. Albacore are found throughout the world’s temperate, sub-tropical and tropical oceans, although they are less common in the tropics. They are found from the surface to a depth of 600m where they often form mixed schools with skipjack, yellowfin and bluefin tuna. They grow more slowly than skipjack and yellowfin tuna, reaching a maximum size of 140cm, 60kg in weight and maximum age of 15 years. Albacore mature when about 90cm length and 4-5 years old. Spawning normally occurs between January and July.

Stock information

Stock Area

North Pacific

Stock information

The North Pacific albacore fishery is assessed by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC) and responsibility for management of the stock is shared between the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the Western and Central Pacific Fishery Commission (WCPFC). The most recent assessment was carried out in 2017, with some major improvements compared to the previous one in 2014. Some uncertainty remains and there is a need for Pacific-wide data collection to address this.

Catches during the period of the assessment (1993-2015) reached a peak of 119,300 t in 1999 and then declined in the early 2000s. Since 2012 (catch of 83,150t) they have continuously declined, with the 2017 catch of 48,836t being the lowest since 1990. An explanation for this decline is not available at present. The 2012-2016 average was 70,724t and MSY is 132,072t. Juvenile albacore aged 2 to 4 years comprised, on average, 70% of the annual catch between 1993 and 2015, owing to the larger impact of the surface fisheries (primarily troll, pole-and-line) which remove juvenile fish, as opposed to longline fisheries, which primarily remove adult fish.

The assessment indicates that the stock is not overfished relative to the limit reference point adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (i.e. spawning stock biomass is greater than 20% of unfished levels). No F-based reference points have been adopted to evaluate overfishing. Stock status was evaluated against seven potential reference points and current fishing intensity (F2012-2014) is below six of them.

If recent average catches continue (2010-2014 average = 82,432 t) then the probability of the stock entering an overfished state by 2025 is 30%.

Management

Most tuna stocks range across and are accessed by numerous coastal states, making harmonised and effective management of these individual stocks very difficult. As a result, intergovernmental Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) have been established. There are five main tuna RFMOs worldwide and it is their responsibility to carry out data collection, scientific monitoring and management of these fisheries. The responsibility for the management of Albacore in the North Pacific is shared between the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the Western and Central Pacific Fishery Commission (WCPFC). Whilst these RFMOs are responsible for the development of management and conservation measures, the degree to which they are implemented, monitored and enforced still varies significantly between coastal states. For this reason, it is important to choose tuna that has been caught by vessels that are well regulated by their flag state.

A number of American and Canadian albacore fisheries are certified as sustainable and well managed by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and represent the best options.

Approximately 73% of the catch occurs in the WCPO and a 27% in the EPO. In 2005 IATTC and WCPFC adopted matching management measures for North Pacific Albacore to freeze fishing effort to 2002-2004 levels and instigate regular catch reporting, and the current exploitation level (2010-2012) is indeed estimated to be below those levels. In 2017 an Interim Harvest Strategy for North Pacific albacore was adopted by WCPFC, replacing the 2014 management framework and supporting the measures to limit fishing effort. The management objective is to maintain the biomass around its 2017 level in order to allow recent exploitation levels to continue with a low risk of breaching the limit reference point (LRP: 20 percent of unfished levels, consistent with limits for the three tropical tuna species and South Pacific albacore). If this point is breached, management actions (a rebuilding plan lasting up to 10 years) will be taken to return the stock to a predetermined level. The target reference point (TRP) will be determined following a management strategy evaluation, which was begun in 2018.

Both the IATTC and WCPFC have the following additional management measures: 5% observer coverage is required on longliners greater than 20m, although this is considered to be too low for accurate data: a minimum of 20% coverage is recommended. In addition, data recorded by IATTC longliners is considered inadequate for scientific purposes and minimum data standards need to be identified and introduced.To help address IUU: an IUU Vessel List is maintained as well as a register of authorised fishing vessels; transhipments at sea for most vessels are prohibited (some exemptions apply) and most other transhipments must be documented and observed as part of the regional observer programme. Countries are required to report annually on monitoring, control and compliance of management measures. The IATTC and WCPFC endeavour to work together to promote compatibility between their respective conservation and management measures across the Pacific.In 2017, WCPFC introduced a Compliance Monitoring Scheme to assess and improve compliance with obligations, and penalise non-compliance.

Capture Information

21% of the albacore in the North Pacific is caught in surface troll fisheries. Trolling generally targets smaller albacore which tend to stay closer to the surface. It is a labour intensive yet very selective method of fishing with virtually no impact on non-target species.

Alternatives

Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating:
only fish rated 2 and below are included as an alternative in
the list below. Click on a name to show the sustainable options
available.

Wild capture criterion scoring overview

This system has been developed by the Marine Conservation Society to help consumers choose the most environmentally sustainable fish. For
full details, please see the full wild-capture methodology available here.

Capture method and ecological effects

Score

Impact

0

Very low impact

0.25

Low impact

0.5

Some or moderate impact

0.75

High impact

1

Very high impact or illegal

Where environmental concerns from any one criteria are so great, a ‘critical fail’ may be triggered and the fishery awarded a default red
rating. For full details, please see the full wild-capture methodology available here.

IATTC, 2018. Tunas, Billfishes and Other Pelagic Species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in 2017. Document IATTC-93-01 for the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 93rd meeting, 24 and 27-30 August 2018, San Diego, California. 115 pp. Available at https://www.iattc.org/Meetings/Meetings2018/IATTC-93/IATTC-AIDCP-Annual-Meetings-AUG2018ENG.htm [accessed on 05.12.2018].

ISC, 2018. Report of the eighteenth meeting of the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-Like Species in the North Pacific Ocean, Plenary Session, 11-16 July 2018, Yeosu, Republic of Korea. 93pp. http://isc.fra.go.jp/reports/isc/isc18_reports.html [Accessed on 05.12.2018].

WCPFC, 2018. Conservation and Management Measures of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Available at https://www.wcpfc.int/conservation-and-management-measures [Accessed on 06.12.2018].

WCPFC, 2018. Summary Report of the Fourteenth Regular Session of the Scientific Committee of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, 8-16 August 2018, Busan, Republic of Korea. 34 pp. Available at https://www.wcpfc.int/meetings/14th-regular-session-scientific-committee [Accessed on 06.12.2018].

What’s a sustainability range?

The sustainability of fish can vary significantly depending on how and where it has been caught or farmed. Many single species are caught or farmed in a variety of ways and this range shows that, within a species, some sources may be more sustainable than others.

To find out specific ratings, click on the 'Show options for this fish' button under the image of the fish.

'Best choices' are rated 1 and 2 (green), 'Fish to Avoid' are rated 5 (red). Ratings 3 and 4 mean 'Think' (yellow and amber), as there are better rated alternatives.

Fish that are under review are shown with a question mark icon and no rating.

This system has been developed by the Marine Conservation Society to help consumers and businesses choose the most environmentally sustainable fish.

To be assessed

Seafood sources indicated as, 'To be assessed', are those that have not yet been assessed and assigned a rating or are undergoing a period
of review. These include sources previously rated by MCS for which the rating has lapsed, due to changes in the market or MCS priorities and
resources. Given that these sources are not fully assessed, the profile should not be used to infer the current sustainability of the
fishery or farmed species.

If you are interested in the sustainability of this seafood source, please let us know by emailing
ratings@mcsuk.org

Rating 1

Rating 1 (light green) is associated with the most
sustainably produced seafood.

This system has been developed by the Marine Conservation
Society to help consumers choose the most environmentally
sustainable fish.

Rating 3

Rating 3 (yellow) based on available information; these
species should probably not be considered sustainable at
this time. Areas requiring improvement in the current
production may be significant. Eat only occasionally and
check www.goodfishguide.org for specific details.

This system has been developed by the Marine Conservation
Society to help consumers choose the most environmentally
sustainable fish.

Rating 4

Rating 4 (orange) should not be considered sustainable, and
the fish is likely to have significant environmental issues
associated with its production. While it may be from a
deteriorating fishery, it may be one which has improved from
a 5 rating, and positive steps are being taken. However, MCS
would not usually recommend choosing this fish.

This system has been developed by the Marine Conservation
Society to help consumers choose the most environmentally
sustainable fish.

Red Improver

'Red improver' ratings are assigned to seafood sources which have been assessed and rated 5 (red) due to significant environmental concerns
with one or more aspects of their management, capture or production, yet credible efforts to improve these issues have been agreed through a
Fisheries or Aquaculture Improvement Project – a FIP or an AIP - and work is underway. Such projects are normally publicly listed at
www.fisheryprogress.org. MCS wants to encourage environmental improvements in fisheries and fish farms, and so does not recommend avoiding
these sources, as we normally do for seafood rated 5 (red rated).

'Best choice' fish are rated 1 and 2, Fish to Avoid are rated 5.

This system has been developed by the Marine Conservation Society to help businesses and consumers choose the most environmentally
sustainable fish.

Rating 5

Rating 5 (red) is associated with fish to be avoided on the
basis that all or most of the criteria for sustainablilty
have not been met.